As I sit down to write this at 11:30pm CT, well past my usual bedtime on a work night, I'm joining countless others across the globe in the frantic effort to pre-order a Nintendo Switch 2. The pre-order window opened at 9pm PT/12am ET across three major retailers: Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. However, what was supposed to be a smooth process has turned into a chaotic ordeal for many, including myself and several IGN staff members. Social media is abuzz with stories of frustration, disappointment, and the occasional success.
At Walmart, eager buyers were quickly funneled into a digital queue. While some managed to progress and secure their consoles, others are stuck on a "stay in line" screen with no clear end in sight. Those who made it through to the purchase stage encountered various error messages, leaving them confused and unable to complete their orders.
Target initially seemed more promising without a queue system, but soon reports surfaced of error screens and unexpected cancellations. Some buyers received confirmation emails only to find cancellation notices shortly after, while others saw the Switch 2 mysteriously disappear from their carts mid-process.
The Nintendo Switch 2 sold out instantly at Target. This is unreal bro. I refreshed on the second it turned 12 am. Actually unreal pic.twitter.com/LAQ4lC03qw
— Kenj (@Kenjdx) April 24, 2025
Best Buy's pre-orders were delayed, displaying "Coming Soon" for half an hour before gradually admitting customers into a queue. While some are now receiving purchase confirmations, many others, including myself, are still waiting after over an hour. Additionally, some customers reported issues with fraud alerts and other financial hiccups, complicating the process further.
2 minutes....
byu/trashpandacoot1 inSwitch
.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }As I write, Target and Walmart have sold out, and while Best Buy continues to process orders, the wait remains agonizing for many. Some have received emails about canceled or delayed orders without any new delivery dates or options to reorder.
Target cancelled my order 10 minutes after placing
byu/syde1020 inSwitch
.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }In the coming hours, more success stories may emerge. Those who miss out tonight still have a chance to pre-order at GameStop tomorrow at 11:00am ET, both in-store and online, or at other retailers in the future. Additionally, some Nintendo account holders might receive an email invitation in May to pre-order directly from Nintendo, though there's no guarantee, and demand in Japan has reportedly exceeded supply.
Bots are the worst
byu/CANfilms inSwitch
.reddit-embed-wrapper iframe { margin-left: 0 !important; }For those not deeply invested in Nintendo, it's easy to dismiss the chaos. However, for dedicated fans, this follows a series of confusing and frustrating developments. The initial reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 was exciting, but the pricing of the system and its accessories, coupled with a pause in pre-orders due to U.S. tariffs, has left many feeling overwhelmed. The subsequent resumption of pre-orders without adjusting the system's price, only the accessories, added to the confusion. Moreover, Nintendo's unclear plans for physical and digital software pricing, formats, and content have left many questions unanswered, contributing to the overall frustration and uncertainty about securing a console at launch, especially with potential future price increases and supply issues looming.
For those eager to play Mario Kart World at launch, this is the reality of the situation. Here's a guide for those still attempting to secure a pre-order.
